Toy railway crossover



Feb. 5 i924,

A. R. FERGUSSON TOY RAILWAY GROSSOVER 2 neetswe 1 Filed Feb. I5. 1.925

Febo 5 w24@ A. R. FERGUSSON TOY RAILWAY cRossovER Filed Feb. 5. 1925 2 Setsheet 2 Patented Felt. 5, i924.

'nutren stares atan n. ii

GSSON. OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

TOY LWAY CROSSOVER.

Application flled February 3, 1923. Serial No. 616,647.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALAN R. F'ERGUssoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain'new and useful lmprovements in Toy Railway Crossovers, of which the following is a specification.

rllhis invention relates to cross-overs for miniature or toy railways, an object thereof being to provide a crossover adapted to be easily and effectively connected or joined. to a plurality of toy track sections and which will be relatively cheap and easy to manu facture, strong, durable and etiicient in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a miniature cross-over section for a sectional toy railway having wire formed rails, in 'which the several sections form a portable structure adapted to be readily knocked down and assembled.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved miniature cross-over having means for connecting a detachable third rail thereto and also having improved means for transmitting the current without interruption from one side to the other of the cross-over.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toy railway cross-over having rail portions stamped up from a single piece of sheet metal and constructed to form a durable and strong crossing member.

A further object of this invention is to provide altoy railway cross-over having means for releasably connecting the same to the ends of a plurality of track sections, and adapted to form a spring joint or wherein certain of the rail ends are adapted to be tensioned to form the joint.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toy railway crossing frog stamped up from a single piece of sheet metal.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the several views and wherein Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating an` embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation taken in section through line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view; Fig. l is a fragmentary plan view of the end of the track section adapted to he joined to the cross-over; Figs. 5 and 6 are detail plan and side views respectively illustrating 'the third rail connections for the cross-over;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modied e0 terminal connections for the power rails of the several intersecting sections; and Fig. 1l is a perspective view illustrating a di'erent means for joining the cross-over to a track section.

Before explaining in detail the present improvement and mode of operation thereof, l desire to have it understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and that the phraseology which l employ is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The construction shown in the drawingseo is for a right angled crossing but it will be understood that my invention is not limited to this form of crossing but may he of any angle or inclination.

Referring to Figs. l to 5 inclusive wheree5 in l have illustrated a present preferred form of my invention it will be seen that the cross-over generally indicated at A may be readily formed by stamping or forming the saine up out of a single piece of sheet e0 metal previously cut to the required shape and form. ln this manner a cross-over or toy railway crossing frog may be provided at a minimum of expense, diie to the fact that the amount of material used is reduced e5 to a minimum as well as the number of steps in the operation of forming the cross-over.

The cross-over A. in the present instance is formed with four radiating arms 9 of similar construction and located at an angle icc to each other, herein shown at rig t angles to each other for the purposes illustration. Flach arm 9 comprises hase-plate of suitable width havin the side edges thereof bent up or coiled to forni spaced rihs or rail portions 10. A pair of adjacent rihs or rail portions l0 intersect il to forni a right angled frog point. The cross-over also comprises a central plate or base portion l2 which connects together the several arms 9.' 110 Between the central plate 12 and each arm 9 is formed a rib 13, these ribs being bent up from the metal. Each rib 13 terminates at opposite ends short of the frog points 11 so as t'o form spaces 14 therebetween for permitting the iianges of the car wheels to pass therebetween. The rail ribs 13 extend in rolongation of the rail portions 10, thus ormin a complete cross-over constructed integra ly of the same piece of metal.

The coiled rail ribs 10 terminate at 15 intermediate the ends of thearms 9 vand the end portion of each arm 9 has the lateral edges thereof extending outwardly at 16 beyond the plane of the ends 15 of the rail ribs 10. The portions 16 are thereupon bent upwardly and inwardly to form curved ide portions 17 forv receiving the free ends of the rails of a track section. lt will be seen that the ends 18 of a track section 19 fit snugly between the curved guide portions' 17 and extend in juxtaposition to the ends 15 of the rail ribs 10. Thus when the rail ends 18 are held between the partially coiled guides 17, the same will extend in prolongation of the rail ribs 10, thus forming a continuous traction surface.

The end of each arm 9 forms substantially a guide plate for releasably interlocking the arm with a track section 19. In the present instance the interlocking connection 4 or joint is substantially a -spring joint and preferably includes lugs or projections 20 pinched outwardly from the rail ends 18 and adapted to be inserted into openings 21 in the guide portions 17. In order to connect these parts it is necessary to contract or tension one or both of the rail ends 18 so as to permit the lugs 20 to clear lthe guide portions 17 and to spring into the openings 21. Each section 19 preferably comprises a pair of spaced wire rails22 carried by supporting means. In order to provide a rigid, durable, and cheap construction the supporting means preferably comprises spaced wire ties 23 to which the wire rails 22 may be spotwelded. The wire formed track section may be releasably connected to the end of an adjacent section by a similar spring joint', such for instance as described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 590,781, filed Sept. 27, 1922.

Where the cross-over is used in connection with electric toy railways having third or power rails, the cross-over is provided with terminal connections for transmitting the current without interruption from one arm to the other. ln the present instance each arm 9 is slotted transversely at 27 and a metallic strip 28 extends underneath the centra-l portion 12 of the device, passes u through opposed slots 27, and has the en s thereof bent over the inner edges of the slots as shown at 29. Suitable insulating strips 30 are interposed between the metal strips 28 and the central portions ofthe crossover, and it will be seen that the several strips 28 cross each other at the under side of the plate 12 and connect the opposite arms of the cross-over together.

A wire-formed third rail 31 is detachably connected to each arm 9 of the cross-l 'the folded edge inserted within the bent portion 34 and held therein. When the third rail 31 is inserted in the gutter of the clip and the latter is connected to the arm 9, the end of the third rail projects beyond the clip and engages the inwardly bent portion 29 of a terminal strip 28q so that when the third rails are all in position the current will be transmitted by means of the crossed terminal strips 28 from one power rail to the other underneath the cross-rover. Each power rail 31 is also detachably connected to its track section 19 by means of a duplex clip 36 having a gutter portion 37 adapted to be sprung over a wire tie 23 and also having a transverse' glitter portion 38 into which the wire third rail 31 may be sprung. The gutter or clip portions 37 and 38 are interconnected in inverted relation and are preferably substantially duplicates and are insulated by means of a suitable strip 39. A further detailed description of this clip construction is not deemed herein necessary as the same is fully described and shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 590,781, filed Sept. 27, 1922.

The several arms 9 of the cross-over are rigidly connected together by means of a curved or circular wire 40 which may be spot-Welded as at 41 to the several arms 9 of the cross-over. The wire -10 is substantially the same size or diameter as the wire supporting ties 23 for the rails 22, so that by means of this curved wire support 40 the rail portions of the cross-over will be s aced from the floor a distance substantial y as great as the distance which the wire rails 22 are spaced from the floor.- Since the rail portions 10 and 13 are bent up or formed so as to have a gauge substantially the same as the gauge of the wire rails 22 all of the iaeaesa central portion may be raised or bent up at 48 so as to have a height substantially the same as the height of the rail portions 1() and 13. This filler block or raised portion 42 forms a bearing surface for the third rail roller or wheel of the toy engine when the same passes between the ends of the third rails 3l.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, a somewhat modified form of cross-over is provided. lln this instance the crossover is provided with a central supporting plate 44 having the central portion thereof cut away at 55 and the edges thereof-bent up or partially coiled to form spaced rail ribs 45 located at an angle to each other. To each corner of the plate 44 is secured as by welding a wire which is bent to form a frog point 46 and a pair of rail portions 47 and 48. The rail portions 47 are located in alinement with each other and with a rib 45, so that these parts form a continuation of the alined rails of the track sections which are connected to the cross-over. To the outer ends of each pair of spaced rail portions 47 and 48 respectively is secured a guide clamp 49. This guide clamp 49 is provided with p upwardly curved guide portions 50 adapted rail ends, into openings 53, thus forming a spring joint.

When the cross-over is used with an electrical toy railway the same is provided with suitable terminal connections for transmitting power between the opposed third rails. For this purpose a piece of sheet metal may be cut to the required shape and is stamped up to form a central raised portion 54 adapted to extend into the central opening 55 in the late 44. The hollow member 54 is provide with a plurality of radially extending arms 56 which extend in opposite directions across the under side of the base plate 44. Between the arms 56 and the base plate are interposed suitable strips of insulating material 59 and the arms are provided with lugs 57 which are clinched over the side edges of the plate 44. Each arm terminates in a spring contact member 58, and when the third rail 61 is connected to a guide clamp 49 by means of a spring gripping clip 60 which may be substantially the same as clip 32 hereinbefore described, the end of the third rail will bear against the spring contact member 58. In this manner the current will be transmitted between the separated ends of the opposed third rails.

If desired the cross-over illustrated in Fig. 1 may be used in connection with the conventional toy track sections in the manner shown in Fig. 11. In this instance the radial arms 9 of the cross-over may have,"

each side edge thereof bent up so as to approximate more nearly a closed coil 62, or in other words the edges may be coiled around suiiciently to form holes adapted to receive dowel pins 63. The dowel pins 63 are set into the holes formed by the coiled edges of the arms so as to cooperate' with the holes 64 in the conventional tin tracks 65. In this manner the cross-over may be readily adapted for utilization with various types of toy railways. It will of course be understood that the releasable connections shown in Fig. 1l may be reversed where desired, and the dowel pins 68 set into theholes 64 on the ends of the tin tracks and are insertable into the end holes of the coiled rail portions 62.

The third rail 31 or 61 may be suitably insulated from cross ties 23 by means of detachable strips 66 (see Fig. 1) having opposed notches 67 permitting the strips to be inserted and held between the main rails and cross ties.

As shown in Figs. l and 3 each arm 9 is also formed with lengthwise extending ribs 24, bent up from the metal, thereby increasing the strength and rigidity of the structure.

It is to be understood that by describing in detail herein any particular form, structure, or arrangement, it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims or the requirements of the prior art.

Having thus explained the nature of my said invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, although witlr out attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all ofthe modes of its use, I claim:

1. A toy cross-over for a toy railway comprising a piece of sheet metal bent or stamped up to form a pair of traction rail portions extending in alinement and spaced in accordance with the gage of the railway.

2. A toy cross-over comprising a sheet metal plate bent up to form a pair of main traction rail portions terminating in a frog point.

3. A. toy cross-over comprising a piece of sheet metal having the side edges thereof bent or coiled to form parallel rail portions, said metal also bent to form a transverse rail portion spaced from said first rail portions.

4. A. toy cross-over comprising a piece of sheet metal having certain edges thereof bent to form a pair of opposed crossing frogs.

5. A toy cross-over comprising a piece of sheet metal having certain edges thereof bent to form a pair of opposed crossing frogs and also bentl to form a rail port-ion spaced from said frogs and extending in continuaation of parts thereof.

6. A toy cross-over comprising sheet metal supporting means bent to form four pairs of converging rail port-ions.

T. A toy cross-over comprising a piece of sheet metal bent to form pairs of oppositely located crossing frogs, and also bent to form rail portions intermediate said frogs.

8. A toy cross-over comprising a base portion having a central opening therethrough, intersecting rails connected to saidbase por-v tion, intermediate rail ribs between said intersecting rails, and a filler member extending through said central opening and having a height substantially the same as said rail ribs.

9. A toycross-over comprising pairs of rail sections having a plurality of intersecting points, a plate connected thereto, and having a part bent to formrail portions intermediate said intersecting points.

10. A toy cross-over comprising pairs of rail sections having a plurality of intersecting points, a plate connected thereto and having a part bent to form rail portions intermediate said intersecting points, and a filler member extending upwardly from said plate and located between said rail portions.

11. In a toy railway the combination of a plurality of track sections, a crossing member having intersecting track sections, and means for connecting certain of said track sections together to form a spring joint.

12. In a toy railway the combination of a track section comprising a pair of spaced wire rails, and a crossing member adapted to be releasably connected thereto.

13. In a toy railway the combination of a pair of spaced wire rails, supporting means extending crosswise of the rails and to which said rails are fastened, and a crossing member releasably connected to said rails. l 14. In a toy railway' the combination of a pair of spaced wire rails, supporting means extending crosswise of the rails and to which the rails are fastened, and a crossing member releasably connected to said rails, said connection comprising a tension joint.

15. In a toy railway the combination of a crossing member, a track sect-ion, a power rail, and means for detachably connecting said power rail to said crossing member and track section.

16. In a toy railway the combination of a crossing member comprising a piece of sheet metal bent to form a plurality of rail por` tions, and a track section detachably connected to said cross-over and having a Wire formed rail.

17. In a toy railway the combination of a track section comprising supporting means and a rail detachably connected thereto, and a crossing member also detachably connected to said rail.

1S. In a toy railway the combination of a crossing member and a toy track section, said member and track section having one a wire formed rail adapted to extend in prolongation of a rail of the other.

19. In a toy railway a crossing member comprising a plate having the side edges thereof bent or coiled to form arallel rail ribs, and a pair of rails detachab y connected at thc ends of said ribs, said plate having 'parts thereof bent to form guide portions adapted to receive the ends of said rails.

20. In a toy railway a crossing member comprising a pair of parallel rail portions i terminating in a clamping member, and a pair of rails detachably connected to said clamping member.

21. A toy cross-over comprising a wire base, a crossing member mounted thereon .nd comprising a metallic plate having a part thereof bent to form a rail.

22. A toy cross-over comprising a wire base, a crossing member mounted thereon and comprising a metallic plate having a part thereof bent Ito form a pair of conver ing rails.

23. A toy cross-over comprising a wire base, a crossing member mounted thereon and comprising a metallic plate having a part thereof bent to form a pair of parallel' rails and a transverse rail.

24. In a toy railway the combination of a crossing member and a plurality of rails detachably connected thereto, said rails and member having each wire formed support-- ing means.

25. A crossing member comprising a pair of coil-formed rails angularly related and intersecting to form a frog point.

26. A toy railway cross-over comprising wire formed supporting means, and a plurality of angularly related rails connected thereto.

27. A crossing member comprising four radiating arms, each comprising a plate having rails at the edges thereof and a lengthwise extending rib intermediate said rails.

28. A crossing member comprising four radiating arms, each comprising a plate having stamped up rails at the edges thereof,

and a lengthwise extending stamped up ribv intermediate said rails.

29. A crossing member comprising a central portion and rails extending therefrom, a plurality of conducting strips extending in' opposite directions beneath said central portion and having the ends thereof projecting above said port-ion to form contact-s.

30. A toy railway cross-over comprising a plurality of pairs of intersecting rails, and

insane@ [il wire formed means for connecting said pairs Wire bent into approm'mately circular form, of rails together. and a crossing member secured to said Wire.

31. A toy railway cross-over comprising Signed at 1822-3-4: Park Row Building, il@ four radiating arms having spaced rails, and New York, N. Y., this 31st day of January, 5 wire formed means connecting said arms to- 1923.

gether.

32. A toy railway cross-over comprising a ALAN R. FERGUSSUN. 

